Mariana Renata, here she comes now...

"I guess I just put myself out there. Doing stuff, magazine, so people will remember; Ohh, she’s still alive”

Men adores her, women look up to this woman. Mariana is more than just a pretty face.

The first time I met Mariana back 7 years ago in a photoshoot session, she (of course) looked pretty and very reversed. We exchanged words just about style direction. Today I meet her again in another photoshoot session and she isn’t much changed. The last time we met she wore tank top, jeans and sandals. This time she sports herself a tank top with cardigan, mini skirt and a pair of Converse shoes. Still casual as ever and pretty as if times never leaves any remarks on her. Is she still shy? “Silent, shy mostly,” she says when I ask her what most people think of her.

“I am not reserved. Actually in front of my best friends, I talk a lot. I know if I’m in Jakarta people see me as silent, shy girl. Sometimes I’m just, what the heck, I’m not reserved. It depends on my mood as well. I’m not particularly outgoing, I’m not good if it’s, like, crowded, too many people. I just listen more and be quiet. I am more comfortable talking with one or two people that close to me, like, talking interesting stuff.”

Been seen in Jakarta for only once or twice a year, people especially her fans are wondering what she’s been up to. “Life is pretty boring, I’ve been working,” she replies firmly.

Residing in Sidney, Mar is still busy with her modeling world in Australia. She joins local agency called Chic Management. She appears in some local magazines fashion spread, fashion shows and commercials. When she’s done posing for them, she’s going back and forth Jakarta for more fashion shows and photoshoots here. 

What do you do when you come home (to Jakarta)? “I guess I just put myself out there. Doing stuff, magazine, so people will remember; Ohh, she’s still alive (laughing). While you away, it’s kind of hard to get a contract, you need to be present. So what I’m doing, like, meet some internal dinner event, with clients.”

As her contract with Olay being extended, now we got to have her back on screen as the Brand Ambassador for White Radiance variance. It’s pretty easy to spot her on the magazines but only once we enjoy her acting, and it seems like ages ago. It’s not that she’s got no offers, we know exactly Mariana is one to wait for.

“The only time I did movie is Janji Joni. It was interesting actually, but I don’t think I’m ready psychologically. I’m more of a model, it’s different. It’s not that easy to act, not at all. I don’t want to be in a movie and people wondering, ‘what the heck is she doing there.’ I’m just not ready on many levels. For now I just can say, we will see.”

She holds her tongue for a moment finding the right words and continues,”I’m modeling right now, and I’m happy with it. Well, we will see, we’ll see, we never know what’s gonna happen in the future. I don’t want to say I will never do movie again, because if in the future I do movie I will have to swallow my own words.”

According to her manager, despite abundant of film offers, they don’t feel like forcing it. However, they’ve already got one title to consider. So hopefully in no further we’ll get to see Mar acting again.

Besides doing stuff that she mentions earlier, she tells about her true love time killer: traveling.

“Around December 2009 I went to South America cause all my friends are going there. And I was like, heck, I’m going there. So, they all like went to New York and went to Central America. So I bought the ticket and caught them up. It’s like backpacking, three weeks in a bus, chicken buses you know, random hostels, it’s like we follow this Lonely Planet trail.

"It’s kind of dangerous. You know we almost got mugged on Christmas Eve, it’s like, so messed up. We went to the city and all we saw there are people on crack with red eyes and cranky face. At 9pm looking for hostel and we were getting lost we were like heck, heck, heck.

"But we had a good time when we were in remote area, it’s like mountains and was really nice. And we’re like, seven hours in chicken bus and took us to the opposite city that we planned to go. But it was really great, we had fiesta night and we enjoyed movie, reggaeton and stuff, play football with the kids.”

Despite her not able to be close with people easily, Mar says she’s got friends everywhere, but sometimes they have to separate physically because of them or her moving to another country. She says she always has one friend to visit every time she comes back to Jakarta, and one best girlfriend who knows her inside-out since she was six who’s residing in Brazil, and one best boyfriend who’s been friend with her since they were seven.

“I don’t really have many best friends, but they all scattered around the world. But I don’t want to name them. With my closest friend even if we’re, like, in separate place for two years, we still know what each other doing. It’s like time and distant won't change anything. If we meet again, it will be just staying the same.”

What is the most obnoxious thing from a guy when he’s trying to approach you? “Ah, it’s the bling bling. The champagne, the bling, whatever the cologne that smells suck, people who’s showing off their wealth, latest gadget, like, this is what I have. It’s the most disgusting for me, what am I…an object? A lot of guys do that, not just to me but also to people in general. Like this is what I can offer to you, I mean, if I want champagne, I could buy it myself,” she states firmly.

In contrary, what kind of guy does she like? “I don’t have certain type, like I want my boyfriend to be that way, or my husband to be that way. It’s more like chemistry, you know. I could say a guy to be sexiest on earth because I see him like that, and other people don’t see it like that. I like people who are very creative, who do art. Not really artsy people, but more of people who have their own opinion, just being himself, don’t care about bullshit.

"It’s refreshing to see people who just being their own. Doesn’t mean that people have the “f*ck u all" attitude, more like this is me, this is who I am, have strong stand point and open minded. Passionate about what they do, just simple, just being him, just confident and be yourself, sometimes it’s hard to do.”

Mariana, the woman who sits in front of me now, is far from a reserved awkward girl. Having vast experience living in different cities of the world since the very young age, she’s become a tough personality. A woman who mentions Arcade Fire as her favorite band, and Hunger as a cool movie. She’s definitely something.

via Nylon, Jan. 2011

  Indonesian Heartthrob Blog by Furansizuka Cs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Jess hurt by sexy song backlash to Get 'Em Girls

JESSICA Mauboy says she felt hurt and was forced to question herself after the negative reaction to her recent single, Get 'Em Girls. 

Critics and fans claimed the 21-year-old songstress had become too sexy and moved away from her "good girl" image in the clip for the track, which featured American rapper Snoop Dogg.

( Jess & Snoop Dogg. Credit: Sony Music)

Some argued footage of Snoop Dogg leering at a scantily dressed Mauboy was confronting for her fans.

"I read the comments about the video for Get 'Em Girls and I felt upset a little bit," she said.

"I had to ask myself, 'Did I do the right thing? Did I really follow my heart?' They said I wasn't the old Jess.

"It kind of hurt me a little bit."

Although industry insiders questioned the appropriateness of the song as the album's first single, both have been certified gold.

"My confidence is right back up again," she said.
  

Second single release Saturday Night is a collaboration with Ludacris.

"I'm growing up and every artist evolves and is being more creative each time"

In the four years since she was runner-up to Damien Leith on Australian Idol, the singer says she has had to learn to roll with the punches. Despite her many chart successes, just like Guy Sebastian, Mauboy has struggled to gain recognition from an indie-heavy focussed industry.


She was snubbed at the ARIA Awards in 2009 despite seven nominations.


"You fall over and you get back up again," said Mauboy, who rang in the New Year performing at the Palazzo Versace hotel on the Gold Coast.


Last year, as well as enjoying success in her music career, Mauboy starred and was praised in her first feature film, Bran Nue Dae.


This year, there are rumours Mauboy will support Chris Brown on his yet-to-be announced national tour.


In her love life, Mauboy's long-distance relationship with Darwin council worker and soccer player Themeli Magripilis is going strong.


"It's not marriage or anything like that," she laughed.

NT News & Sort Music


 Indonesian Heartthrob Blog by Furansizuka Cs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Luna Maya: "I Wouldn't Change a Thing"

The biggest scandal of 2010 brought entertainer Luna Maya’s world crashing down. The trouble’s not over yet, but the experience has taught her a thing or two.

Luna Maya’s reversal of fortune following the celebrity sex video scandal she was swept up in mid-year was swift and merciless. Literally overnight, she lost advertising endorsements, TV appearances and, not least, her good reputation, all due to grainy footage purportedly showing her with boyfriend Nazril Irham, better known as Ariel Peterpan.

Before the scandal broke, Luna seemed to be everywhere as a sought-after advertising spokeswoman and the host of Dahsyat, one of the most popular weekday morning pop music TV shows – and reportedly one of entertainment’s highest paid performers. Since June’s frenzy of publicity, she has been conspicuously absent from the airwaves, save for the occasional infotainment update on her visits to Ariel, now in police custody.

The 27-year-old denies she was laid low by depression or lying low out of fear – she’s simply been taking some time out.

“I’ve haven’t been anywhere, I’ve been here at home in Jakarta and Bali,” says Luna, who grew up on the resort island, the daughter of an Indonesian father and Austrian mother. “Some parties didn’t renew my contracts or severed them, so that may have given that impression. But I was still around.”

She was also dealing with the continuing and complicated legal entanglements (Ariel, who also allegedly appeared in another video with TV show presenter Cut Tari, is currently detained in Bandung on charges of distribution of pornographic materials; Luna is required to make regular reports to the police).

Gradually, though, she is returning to the entertainment scene. There is her new single, “Tak Bisa Bersamamu” (Can’t Be With You), seemingly a poignant testimonial to her relationship with Ariel today. And she was on the cover of women’s lifestyle magazine Clara in November.

On a cloudy Islamic New Year’s Day, she is back making a TV series at a golf course in East Jakarta. It may seem a risk for the production house to bank on using this now tarnished star to draw viewers, especially among a judgmental public not likely to quickly forgive or forget.

In person, she still draws attention – for whatever reason. After slipping through the club lobby almost unnoticed in dark glasses and leggings to the hair and makeup room, she emerges an hour later in heels, blouse and pencil skirt, an undeniably pretty young woman.

The club’s cook gestures to get her attention as she walks by. A portly middle-aged man, sitting contentedly with his posse in a corner, requests a photo with her. “A bit later,” Luna says politely as she moves on.

Don’t Bring Me Down

On one level, Luna understands the public fascination with the videos – and their glee in seeing celebrities cut down to size. The fascination was heightened by the involvement of Ariel and herself, the country’s favorite on-again-off-again celebrity couple of recent years. Luna’s own occasional run-ins with infotainment journalists simply added to the combustible mix.

Sharing, watching and commenting on the videos became the national pastime – watching consenting adults without their consent – before the inevitable condemnation of the three celebrities.

“I think that people like to see those who are successful suffer a bit,” she says, without any bitterness. “They want to find their weak point. It’s not just for me, they also like to see it with a president. I just think that if there is someone who is trying to bring me down, I don’t want to be beaten by them.

“The only one who can bring me down is myself. I’m not being conceited here, but I don’t want an injustice to destroy me.”

The furor quickly went international; the Huffington Post noted it was Indonesia’s first real celebrity sex video scandal (ignoring assorted bedroom frolics between politicians and small-time singers, all before the Pornography Law took effect). None other than US teen superstar Justin Bieber was prompted to comment on the cheekily dubbed “peterporn” trending topic on Twitter, as did Japanese porn star Miyabi, who has a large following in Indonesia.

For Luna, one of the toughest lessons was learning who her fair-weather friends were.

“I was shocked at how people can change in one day. When we are on top, they are so good to us, but as soon as we have a problem they aren’t there for us or they bad-mouth us incessantly,” she says.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about why people suddenly felt they had to get involved in Luna’s life. And those who were continually commenting on me, saying how terrible I was.”

Of course, the flip side was that she also learned who she could really count on.

“All my best friends and family have been amazing,” says Luna, whose father is deceased. “Of course, Ariel has been my strength from the beginning, even now when he is facing a more difficult time and is in prison. My mother, too, but she is bule so sometimes she doesn’t understand the way we think as Indonesians, the conservativeness, how we tend to bring religion into matters, while for foreigners religion is a very private matter.”

She admits she considered leaving the country. At one point, a darker thought crossed her mind.

“I was thinking, what if I just disappeared, not left the country, but I just wasn’t here anymore. Would people be happier? But I thought, well, this is life, there’s ups and downs. I want to survive this, try to be a better person, live my life and resolve this problem the best way I can.”

Taking a Stand

Luna says that standing up for what she believes is right has helped her cope with the fallout. In an exclusive TV interview given by the couple at the outset of the scandal in June, Luna had declared, “We’re the victims here.”

It’s a position she steadfastly maintains, and the details of how the videos came to be distributed remain murky and shrouded in rumor (Luna has publicly apologized for causing “unease” among the Indonesian public due to the video, although she has never stated whether it is her in the film).

“I don’t know why or how to put it in words,” she says of how she faced the scandal. “I’m someone who just doesn’t want to be defeated by news, or intimidated by what others choose to put out about me.”

Luna was no stranger to controversy. In December 2009, after an angry confrontation with infotainment journalists while she was with Ariel’s young daughter, she tweeted that the reporters were lower than prostitutes and murderers.

“The media has a very big, important and powerful role, but if I don’t feel comfortable with what they are doing, then I don’t think that as a public figure I just have to accept it,” she says. “I knew I was in the wrong, too, I said sorry, but I was trying to protect myself. I was very disappointed, and I was quite emotional. But for me it was an issue between us as people.”

She still considers herself a born-and-bred Indonesian, someone who attended state schools and started her modeling career the old-fashioned Indonesian way as a teen cover model. But critics could accuse her of being disingenuous in appearing not to understand the consequences of her actions in this collective society, whether caused by an emotionally charged tweet or a failure to realize that what goes on behind closed doors can eventually become public property.

Yet while Luna may pride herself on being true to her beliefs, she does acknowledge that recent events have taught her to be more circumspect in what she says and does.

She says she has learned that art from Ariel, who rarely makes public comments and only opens up about his feelings in his hit songs.

“He is very careful about what he does, he’s a thinker, while I’m someone who says straight out, ‘I don’t like this’,” she says. “We kind of balance each other.”

She ponders if that straightforwardness is a sure way of making enemies in non-confrontational Indonesian society.

“I guess I’m half and half, with the directness of my mother. There are some Indonesians who cannot accept that way, and I need to learn more about doing small talk. Well, I’m trying,” she adds with a laugh.

At the outset of the scandal, Luna asked for police protection. She says her request became complicated, because, “there were too many people using it as their stage”.

She reflects on the aims of her critics, of the people who have burned images of her and Ariel, called for the singer to be executed and blamed the distribution of the sex videos for several rape and molestation cases by minors against minors.

“It makes me sad,” she says. “We’re no different; we come into this world naked and we’ll leave it the same, in a funeral shroud. Why don’t we embrace those who have done wrong, or help them on the right path? I am Muslim, and the religion I know and studied is full of love. It doesn’t teach us to shout on the street and pass judgment on others. I’m sad that in my own country I cannot feel secure.”

But she also says she does not hold a grudge against those who have condemned her.

“There is no point in being vengeful. It just hurts you because how you feel about them reflects who you really are. That hatred will just eat away at your soul and end up killing you.”

Happy Days

Much good has come from all the drama and pain of the past few months, Luna says, as she was forced to relax for the first time in years.

“I’ve learned how to deal better with people, but most of all I’m much happier today. I can appreciate life more. Before, I only thought about work, work, work. Now I spend time with my family in Bali, and I’m also focusing on my business, which I hadn’t really had time for recently.”

In November, she took in a performance of Joko Anwar’s hit musical Onrop at Taman Ismail Marzuki. It’s a satirical it-could-happen-here allegory of a future Indonesia where women must conform to a 9 p.m. curfew and prim dress code, and gays are pushed firmly back into the closet. Those who run afoul of the corrupt morality policy risk being exiled to Onrop (porno spelled backward) Island, where the “degenerates” exist in an idyllic world of tolerance and respect.

“I saw Joko and he said, ‘Luna, this one is for you, and me’,” she says.

She does not care if people say she will have to start from the bottom again in the entertainment industry – “I don’t mind doing that, let people say what they want”. She adds that Ariel had considered going to the UK, where he had received a scholarship to study music.

“I thought I’d go along with him. There are a lot of things I could do, even working in a restaurant would be fun.”

The couple’s marriage plans have been deferred until all the legal issues are resolved. For now, Luna says that she simply wants to be happy in her life. If she hopes for anything, it’s a better, more tolerant Indonesia.

“I just want there to be more love in this country. We already experience so many difficulties, so why not spread more love instead of hatred and war? A mistake is something we can learn from, not just me but many members of Indonesian society. If we all come together and are responsible then it will be for the better, instead of bringing each other down by pointing out our flaws. Nobody’s perfect.”

What if she could go back in time and miraculously change things?

“No, why should I?” she says with a smile. “[I’d change] nothing at all. Because I believe that I’m now richer than other people. Not materially, and I know there will be many people who think, ‘oh, she doesn’t have any jobs now’. But in my spirituality and experiences, there are not many people who have gone through what I have.”

She pauses for a moment. “Consider that I have passed the test.”

Bruce Emond, WEEKENDER

 Indonesian Heartthrob Blog by Furansizuka Cs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Mikael Jasin The Golden Boy in the Making

Some people seem to have it all -good looks and tons of talents. This man is one of those lucky people.

Still humble and down to earth, Mikael Jasin, the finalist of Cleo Most Eligible Bachelor 2010 speaks of his interests and dreams.

Mikael on likings and interests

At the moment I'm still registered as a student in Melbourne with double major, which are psychology and cinema & cultural studies. Apart from that, I also work part time as a sales assistant and model in my spare time.

I have a lot of interests. Not only is in psychology and movie, I'm also interested in fashion, marketing, advertising, and modeling. By chance, they're all connected to each other, like psychology and advertising. For instance, psychology helps advertising a product, like how to manipulate customer to buy the same product in different packaging. I guess I watch Mad Men too much..hahaha

Mikael on childhood

Human beachball. That was my sobriquet till I was 14. I was overweight that people made fun of me, pinched my cheek, said I was cute and etc. At the time I thought; I don't want to be cute, I want to be cool! Hahaha...

So I decided to go on a diet and exercise at the gym. In addition to that, when I was in high school I played softball regularly so my weight automatically got in control. I still carry on this weight consciousness until now, I exercise everyday and maintain my diet.

I love cooking too, from healthy food to a "sinful" dessert. Either in Jakarta or Melbourne, I like cooking by myself.

 Mikael on hopes and dreams

I'm not too ambitious in modeling. But so long as I can be a model, why not [keep doing it]? I have a big passion for fashion. After graduate I want to enroll master degree to be a fashion buyer.

I want to make money from modeling and as a fashion buyer to open my own boutique. It'd be cool. Someday when I'm settled, I want to give back to the society, just what my mother taught me ever since I was a child.

Things you might not know about Mikael:

-His full name is Mikael Fransiskus Maria Jasin

-Mikael is the only child in the family

-His best friend is Nina Nikicio

-He loves everything music- from Frank Sinatra, Joy Division, to The Raveonettes

 Indonesian Heartthrob Blog by Furansizuka Cs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Luna Maya: "Everybody deserves a second chance"

"I describe myself as a simple, moody, forgiving, and workaholic person"

Life is a test. That's what Luna Maya is experiencing now. At the pinnacle of her career, the 27 years-old hit by the 2010 most scandalous event.

Rise and shine

Owing to the case, Luna Maya turned in-absentia for about five months, however with a new spirit she returns to the showbiz -and not just stop right there.

"There was one point where I feel crying over the spilled milk is useless. I kept thinking that no one could beat me. And here I am," states Luna firmly.

The Christian Louboutin affeccionado admits at the time she has to focus on the problem that's strangled herself, and try to be strong although it doesn't mean that she can always be strong.

But as a tough woman Luna knew what she had to do. "I go to Bali sometimes, go back home, doing nothing, go to the beach, breakfast with friends, chat and spend time with my nieces," she says.

Traveling is one of her hobbies, besides hanging out in her favorite mall. "I'm a mall kid...hahaha," she laughs.

The case of Luna Maya and Ariel is still considered the high commercial news story for local media. She admits feeling worn out by the exploitation of herself because sometimes they don't tell the truth. Does she ever feel traumatic?

"It is traumatic and disappointed, but all I can do is just swallowing them. Now I became more selective and aware of my speaking," she answers.

Today Luna Maya is back to the small screen and with Oka Antara plays in high-rated stripping FTV. In addition to that, she's also filming a musical drama with Dewi Sandra. In fact, Luna is eying the music (again).

Having one single called "Play" with Dewi Sandra and Sandra Dewi in 2008, and a duet with Hijau Daun band in 2009, Luna was confident enough to release a mini album called Perjalanan (Journey).

"It's about sad love story. The songs represent the writer, precisely," she grins.

 

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"

"It's not easy to face people who insult you, look down on you and corner you, but I see it all as a test of life and I have to graduate," she says.

Luna feels all that has happened to her just makes her stronger. And she feels grateful that she's still able to sleep and eat well. "I thankful for the lesson of life that I've got. I still survive."

In 2011 Luna has prepared some plans, including a film production where she will take the producer and director chair. (Last November she produced one indie movie called 'Nathalie's Instinct'). In addition to that, she's spreading her clothing line LM For Hardware to Bali and also getting serious in a trading business.

The beauty admits feeling lucky for many people still want to lend her a hand. However, the most important thing in 2011 for her is introspection and self deconstruction -a change to be a better person, which is not as easy as turning your palm.

"I hope the problem I'm facing now becomes a lesson for everyone else as well," she echos her wish.

Talking about image, the green eyes states she doesn't need sympathy from people over her matter. She also lets go the unfair news about her. "At least, give us a second chance, everybody deserves it," she says.

Grazia, Jan, 2011

 Indonesian Heartthrob Blog by Furansizuka Cs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

The cool Mariana is back!

 

Indonesia's sweetheart Mariana Renata is back, still cool as ever and looks more mature than ever. 

[This is Mariana for Daniel Mananta's and Marissa Nasution's clothing lines. Honestly dear, I'm not into the lipstick. It's so 90s to my liking.]

It's been a while since the last time we heard of Mariana's activity, except that we know she's been hanging around the Australia's fashion scene. 

Having graduated from University of New South Wales, Mariana says she still sticks to modeling for career choice. In fact, she's planning to move to New York or London.

"I've been wishing to try living in those cities, and I'm still working on my visa. We'll see," she says.

Mar, as people call her, says she also wants to travel for Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. The travel addict says she falls in love with Komodo Island and Rocky Mountains, British Columbia, Canada - the places she's been to before.

As if the Cool Mar could never be afraid of anything, the fact is, "Thinking that someday when I get old and all my friends have died and I live alone, for me it's scary," she admits.

Turning 27 on last New Year's Eve, Mar definitely has grabbed a lot of success. What about love?

"I'm very open, because you never know whom you will fall in love with. I just want a guy who can accept me who I am."

cr. Grazia, Jan.2011

 Indonesian Heartthrob Blog by Furansizuka Cs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Julie Estelle, in love with trust

The beauty who's been occupied with her upcoming movie 'heartbreak.com 2' looks simple and yet stunning as ever.

Same goes with her ideal wedding, simple yet stylish. 

"For me, marriage is a serious matter. Every couple must goes through the ups and downs without having to sacrifice the relationship alone. Marriage is not easy, there's so much to consider and it's not a mere having fun and party."

Dream wedding:

"I want it to locate on the beach with a simple European wedding theme. Only close family and friends will attend. I don't want to have pelaminan [dais on which the bridal couple sits] so I can get mingle with all the guests."

Favorite beach:

"It's Gili Tawangan, Lombok Island. The beach is beautiful, clean, and no cars allowed. It gives different ambiance compare to Jakarta."

The meaning of love to Julie:

"It's a FAQ but hard to answer. But for me, love is large and you can address it to anybody, to family, friends our boyfriends. When we start to love somebody it means we're willing to sacrifice for that person and accept all his shortcomings. It's the most important thing in a marriage."

Love at first sight:

I don't believe in love at first sight because I've never experienced it before. I don't know whether or not it's truly exist."

Ideal man:

"Johnny Depp...hahaha. But actually I like a man whom we can understand each other and be trusted each other. Trust is important in developing a relationship. Besides trust, he should be humorist, smart and can mingle with my friends.

 Your hope in your current relationship (with singer Ello):

"I hope it brings us there. But destiny is up to God. So now I'm just going with the flow and keeping my self stay positive. We both are still young and busy with our careers anyway."

 Indonesian Heartthrob Blog by Furansizuka Cs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.